Sports

Renck: Sandberg-Cubs link iffy

The Cubs need a manager. Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg has been toiling as a field boss in their minor leagues. So, obviously, he will be Lou Piniella's successor, right?

Not necessarily.

Two things could derail this plan. For starters, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry would prefer a manager with big-league experience. Not sure it matters at this point if their roster doesn't change — there are too many mismatched parts, a problem that begins and ends with Alfonso Soriano.

The second issue: The Mariners quietly have interest in Sandberg. They could use a breath of fresh air, some accountability, something besides what they are doing. Sandberg, as a player, was the ultimate professional.

He's earned my respect by logging hours in the bushes. That's hard to do, go backward in time after notching thousands of accomplishments and making millions of dollars. It shows a true love and passion for the game — traits that could help any big-league club.

Sandberg going to Chicago makes for a better story. But Sandberg going anywhere else would be better for his health and career.

Chip off the wrong block.

The Braves' Chipper Jones took a shot at the Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez last week, telling The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Coors Field undermines the Rockies' MVP campaign.

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"If (Gonzalez) is doing the same thing on the road that he's doing at home, I'd be glad to give him credit. And he's a tremendous player, don't get me wrong. But the numbers? He's hitting like .390 at home with 25 homers and 65 ribbies?"

The answer came in response to Omar Infante's pursuit of a batting title. Gonzalez's home-road splits are staggering — he's hit .381 with 25 homers and 66 RBIs at Coors Field, compared to .288, 7, 34 in visiting parks. Here's the deal: Nearly every player hits better at home. Against NL West opponents, the games that matter most, CarGo has 18 homers and 54 RBIs in 52 games.

Besides, when did Infante become Pete Rose? Hello, he's a utility player who just recently became a regular. He has no power, is batting .373 at home compared with .317 on the road, and has started 85 games.

Infante already jobbed CarGo out of an all-star spot. Does he really need to pull a Rosie Ruiz to win the batting title as well?

The Amazin' Mess.

As if the underachieving Mets needed more drama. When the team visited Walter Reed Medical Center in D.C. last week, Carlos Beltran, Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo were the only players who bailed. Teammates were furious and embarrassed.

Beltran has visited hospitals in the past, so he gets a slight benefit of the doubt. Castillo said he's too squeamish, and Perez, one of the worst free-agent signings ever, told reporters that he only talks about issues on the field.

If the Mets were wise — stop giggling — they would eat $33 million of the $36 million owed the trio next season, the last in each of their contracts, and clean house.

Footnotes.

Don't expect Cincinnati's Joey Votto to party like it's 1999 or get vanity license plates if he becomes the first National League player to win the Triple Crown since Joe "Ducky" Medwick in 1937. "Canadian ballplayers are really humble guys. They'd pat you on the back and say, 'Wow, pretty good job.' And that's it. Then we'd go get a beer," Votto said. . . . Colorado big-league ump Bob Davidson is no longer "Balkin' Bob." His new nickname? "One for the Thumb." He has ejected 11 people this season, including players, coaches and managers. He even threw out a fan at Miller Park last week, alleging the customer hurled a slur at Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina. Davidson is a good guy, but his penchant for finding the spotlight has gone from predictable to annoying. . . . The Marlins, unlike all other teams, didn't honor departing Atlanta manager Bobby Cox. Cox criticized the Marlins for firing good friend Fredi Gonzalez. Most figure Gonzalez will replace Cox. . . . An interesting situation is developing in St. Louis where manager Tony La Russa and center fielder Colby Rasmus are having issues. La Russa said that Rasmus has asked twice to be traded. Albert Pujols wants Rasmus gone if he doesn't want to be around. Rasmus denies that he wants out. La Russa will win this power struggle, but it would greatly weaken a team that is dying for offense. . . . Crazy prediction: Joe Torre retires and Bobby Valentine returns to the Mets.

EYE ON . . .

LHP Cliff Lee, Texas Rangers

Background: Cliff Lee is proof that left-handers work on their own timeline. At 26, he won 18 games with the Cleveland Indians. At 28, he was banished to the minors, sabotaged by command issues. In 2008, he returned and won the American League Cy Young Award. That excellence created a strange journey, where he was wanted, yet deemed too expensive to keep. So he went from Cleveland to Philadelphia (remember he slayed the Rockies last year in the playoffs) to the Mariners (that lasted 13 starts before their season tanked) to the Rangers.

What's up: Lee has been a bust with the Rangers, going 2-5 with a 4.69 ERA in 11 starts. Turns out the lefty was dealing with a back injury. He returns to the rotation today against the Yankees in Arlington. The Rangers' brass wasn't happy that Lee kept his pain quiet. During his poor starts, Lee was also accused by ESPN radio's Colin Cowherd of "mailing it in." Cowherd said a source told him that Lee will never re-sign in Texas because of the bandbox ballpark and humidity.

Renck's take: I don't think Lee will stay with the Rangers, either. It has nothing to do with the ballpark, but rather the budget. Lee is going to follow the money — he wants CC Sabathia bling — as in the $150 million range with a complete no-trade clause. He will get paid, but to go any higher than $100 million, he needs to become a legend of the fall again. His World Series performance last season against the Yankees, likely his future team, was as good a game as I have ever witnessed in person. He has no motive to tank it at this point. Flame out in the playoffs, he will leave $50 million on the table. And make no mistake, if Lee isn't right, the Rangers will be one-and-done in the playoffs.

AT ISSUE

Rotation issues loom for Yankees

What: The Yankees' starting pitching has quietly become a concern even as the team marches toward 100 wins.

When: During the playoffs.

Background: The Bronx Bombers roll out a meat-grinder lineup every night capable of leaving pitchers in their teeth. But not necessarily aces. And therein lies the issue: Once you get beyond CC Sabathia, the Yankees' rotation has more questions than an episode of "Jeopardy." Sabathia is a beast, whose next victory will be his 20th. OK, so he stuffs an opponent in Game 1 of the ALDS. Who goes the next night? Andy Pettitte? He hasn't pitched in the big leagues since July 18 because of a strained groin. Last year, Sabathia and Pettitte worked on three days' rest in the playoffs repeatedly to cover the staff's deficiencies. That's not happening this fall. Even if Pettitte makes a seamless return, doubt surrounds the next few turns. Phil Hughes' ERA was 2.00 in April. It's 9.00 this month. A.J. Burnett is a co-ace in salary only. It's easier to predict what Chad Ochocinco will do next than how Burnett will perform. And anyone who wears pinstriped boxers and named their baby Seven will admit they have no confidence in Javier Vazquez.

Renck's take: Come on down, Ivan Nova. The kid could get a look. But catcher Jorge Posada identified the solution, saying, "Having Andy back would change everything." I save my Kleenex for more worthy causes than the Yankees. What is fascinating is that this team is so vulnerable. It's becoming clear why the Yankees were so bent on landing Cliff Lee. This Yankees team looks a lot like the clubs from 2001-09, bursting with talent but possessing a fatal flaw. Without Pettitte's productive return, the Yankees won't escape Tampa Bay's rage in the playoffs.

THREE UP

1. Rockies: They have the best player in the NL (CarGo), a Cy Young candidate (Ubaldo) and the top SS (Tulo). Enough said.

2. Astros: Have best record in the National League over last six weeks.

3. Giants: With Tim Lincecum right again, the struggling rotation has followed his lead.

Lockheed says object part of 'sensor technology' testing that ended ThursdayWhat the heck is that thing? It's fair to assume that question was on the minds of many people who traveled along Colo. 128 south of Boulder this week if they happened to catch a glimpse of what appeared to be a large, silver projectile perched alongside the highway and pointed north toward town.

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